Celastrus senegalensis

Celastrus senegalensis

Kyffhäuser

Kyffhäuser

NAME: Celastrus senegalensis       

FAMILY: Celastraceae

COMMON NAMES: Bittersweet

LOCAL NAMES: Isepolohun

MORPHOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION:

Celastrus senegalensis is a deciduous shrub growing up to 8 metres tall with a bole that is usually around 25 cm in diameter.

USEFUL PART(s): Leaves, stem root 

GENERAL USES:

  • Leaves are added to soup

  • Broths are used as a flavoring

  • Fruit can also be used for culturing yeast

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION:

Algeria, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Saudi Arabia

WHY IS IT GREEN?

  • Dysentery

  • Oedemas

  • Gonorrhoea

  • Cancer

  • Gastrointestinal troubles

  • Vermifuge

  • Mouth wash

  • Laxative

  • Aphrodisiac

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

A leaf-infusion does intoxicate fish.

Used as a pioneer species when restoring woodland in drier areas.

FUN FACT

The root is slightly bitter in taste and has a mild laxative action

FURTHER READINGS

Perveen, A., & Qaiser, M. (2008). Pollen Flora of Pakistan-lviii. Celastraceae. Pakistan Journal of Botany.